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Decision on proposed gun range postponed

Published: Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 19, 2013 at 12:32 a.m.

The Davidson County Board of Adjustment tabled the public hearing and decision concerning the proposed firing range in Denton during its meeting Thursday due to the lateness of the hour and because none of the opponents of the range had the opportunity to speak.

After four hours of hearing testimony from those supporting the range, the board decided to allow the proponents for the range to finish their case and to table the rest of the discussion until the regular meeting on Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.

In early June, Lexington resident Brent Knight requested a special use permit to construct and operate a firing range at 3950 Shiptontown Road in Denton. The range would be open seven days a week, have four shooting areas and would be used for turkey shoots, matches, tournaments and special events, according to information in Knight's application.

During its meeting on June 18, the Davidson County Planning and Zoning Board recommended the shooting range application be denied and sent that recommendation to the board of adjustment.

During the public hearing before the board of adjustment, Knight's attorney, Bit Holton, presented three people to support the proposal. They included the applicant, Knight; real estate appraiser, Tim Ragan; and Johnnie Henning, a forensic engineer.

Knight explained the history behind why he wanted to have a firing range in Davidson County. He said that it began when his wife was taking a concealed weapons course and the instructor did not have any place for the class to fire their weapons to qualify for the conceal and carry permit. He said the class ended up practicing in his backyard.

"We need a place where someone can have classes and practice their skills," Knight said.

He continued to describe in detail the specifications of the proposed range, including meeting the planning and zoning requirements, the number of shooting lanes, the rules and regulations that would be adopted and a description of the proposed range, and etc.

He noted that there has been a "huge increase" in gun sales lately and that a supervised area was needed.

Ragan, a North Carolina certified general appraiser, from Ragan Real Estate, testified that the proposed gun range would maintain the value of the surrounding properties and would create no adverse conditions. He presented research on five other firing ranges within the region and listed multiple properties surrounding them and compared the purchase values over the years. He said there has been no decrease in property values in homes within a mile radius of these existing ranges.

Hennings, a forensic engineer with Accident Reconstruction Analysis in Raleigh, testified the decibel levels at the proposed site would not create a disturbance to surrounding residents. He gave a presentation discussing his research recording noise levels of an AR-15 rifle compared to other noises including jet skis, boats, waves on the shore and wildlife.

Tom Terra, a lawyer representing several home owners adjacent to the proposed site, questioned Knight on how he would be held accountable for the rules he had proposed. He said there is no ordinance that requires Knight to follow the rules and regulations he said the range would incorporate.

"So you are just asking us to trust you," Terra said. "How do we know that you will do what you say you are going to do?"

Terra also questioned the types of firearms and the size of ammunition that would be allowed; who would be responsible to make sure the rules were followed and how he planned to pay for a range that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

"We have no assurances other than your word," Terra said.

According to Knight's application, the proposed range would be located in a heavily wooded area and shooters would fire away from Shiptontown Road into a 25-yard backdrop that would include ballistic sand and a topsoil-and-grass cover. The four shooting areas would include a 300-yard rifle lane, a 100-yard pistol and shotgun lane, a 100-yard metal reactive target lane and a 100-yard tactical course.

The application also states that the area would be lighted and have covered shelters enclosed on three sides. It would be located on 30 acres of land and would also include a reception and building where classes could be taught.

Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com.

<p>The Davidson County Board of Adjustment tabled the public hearing and decision concerning the proposed firing range in Denton during its meeting Thursday due to the lateness of the hour and because none of the opponents of the range had the opportunity to speak.</p><p>After four hours of hearing testimony from those supporting the range, the board decided to allow the proponents for the range to finish their case and to table the rest of the discussion until the regular meeting on Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.</p><p>In early June, Lexington resident Brent Knight requested a special use permit to construct and operate a firing range at 3950 Shiptontown Road in Denton. The range would be open seven days a week, have four shooting areas and would be used for turkey shoots, matches, tournaments and special events, according to information in Knight's application.</p><p>During its meeting on June 18, the Davidson County Planning and Zoning Board recommended the shooting range application be denied and sent that recommendation to the board of adjustment. </p><p>During the public hearing before the board of adjustment, Knight's attorney, Bit Holton, presented three people to support the proposal. They included the applicant, Knight; real estate appraiser, Tim Ragan; and Johnnie Henning, a forensic engineer.</p><p>Knight explained the history behind why he wanted to have a firing range in Davidson County. He said that it began when his wife was taking a concealed weapons course and the instructor did not have any place for the class to fire their weapons to qualify for the conceal and carry permit. He said the class ended up practicing in his backyard.</p><p>"We need a place where someone can have classes and practice their skills," Knight said. </p><p>He continued to describe in detail the specifications of the proposed range, including meeting the planning and zoning requirements, the number of shooting lanes, the rules and regulations that would be adopted and a description of the proposed range, and etc. </p><p>He noted that there has been a "huge increase" in gun sales lately and that a supervised area was needed.</p><p>Ragan, a North Carolina certified general appraiser, from Ragan Real Estate, testified that the proposed gun range would maintain the value of the surrounding properties and would create no adverse conditions. He presented research on five other firing ranges within the region and listed multiple properties surrounding them and compared the purchase values over the years. He said there has been no decrease in property values in homes within a mile radius of these existing ranges.</p><p>Hennings, a forensic engineer with Accident Reconstruction Analysis in Raleigh, testified the decibel levels at the proposed site would not create a disturbance to surrounding residents. He gave a presentation discussing his research recording noise levels of an AR-15 rifle compared to other noises including jet skis, boats, waves on the shore and wildlife. </p><p>Tom Terra, a lawyer representing several home owners adjacent to the proposed site, questioned Knight on how he would be held accountable for the rules he had proposed. He said there is no ordinance that requires Knight to follow the rules and regulations he said the range would incorporate.</p><p>"So you are just asking us to trust you," Terra said. "How do we know that you will do what you say you are going to do?"</p><p>Terra also questioned the types of firearms and the size of ammunition that would be allowed; who would be responsible to make sure the rules were followed and how he planned to pay for a range that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.</p><p>"We have no assurances other than your word," Terra said.</p><p>According to Knight's application, the proposed range would be located in a heavily wooded area and shooters would fire away from Shiptontown Road into a 25-yard backdrop that would include ballistic sand and a topsoil-and-grass cover. The four shooting areas would include a 300-yard rifle lane, a 100-yard pistol and shotgun lane, a 100-yard metal reactive target lane and a 100-yard tactical course. </p><p>The application also states that the area would be lighted and have covered shelters enclosed on three sides. It would be located on 30 acres of land and would also include a reception and building where classes could be taught.</p><p>Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com.</p>